Page 49 of Corrupt Me

No, I’m not. Thankfully.

“I firmly believe you keep order by following the rules,” Eric parrots.

“You don’t say.” I stare him down, but he doesn’t flinch. If he thinks that he’s scoring points with Bailey, he’s sorely mistaken.

“Blindingly following orders without putting them through a moral filter is even more dangerous,” Bailey says.

We’re like fucking yin and yang. I pull her out of her recluse corner, and she makes me feel alive.

“Some are good,” my date tells me, and then adds with a smirk, “but where would the fun be if you don’t break a few?”

“You sound like you’d want him to break them all for you,” Bailey says, and I spit out my drink. Fuck, when my kitten shows her claws, it does things to me I can’t even comprehend.

Pulling my phone from my jacket, I type.Your jealousy is showing.

Not even one second later, she plucks hers out from her small purse.I can’t believe you’re on a date!!!

The exclamation points do it, and I barely suppress my amusement.

Stop, and I’ll stop.

You’re impossible, insufferable, maddening.

Should I take her up on her offer?

Should I take him up on his offer?

Do that, kitten, and see what happens. It involves gore, but you like violence, don’t you?

“Bailey, what’s wrong?” the asshole asks, interrupting our convo.

“Nothing, just making some things clear,” she says, the last part louder as if I am not already listening to everything she says. Then she puts her phone back in her purse.

I am so done with this bullshit. Unfortunately, our dates want dessert. They enjoy talking, and at some point, they even talk to each other. Now, if these two could get together, I’d fucking throw a celebratory party.

A headache pounds behind my temples like a relentless drumbeat, and I rub at them mindlessly.

“You look like you’re in pain,” Bailey says, voice tinged with concern, turning to me. Ignoring them, she places her hand on my forehead.

“You don’t have a fever.”

Then why does it feel like my insides are on fire? Her touch only stokes them into bigger flames.

“Are you okay?” The girl screeches, shooting out of her chair. A bit much, I think as Bailey removes her hand, and a low grumble rumbles in my throat.

“I’m tired and have a project to finish,” Bailey says, and Eric purses his lips, a displeased look crossing his features.

Before they leave, Bailey sighs, looking at me a little longer than necessary.

“Let me take you home,” I offer to Lina.

I pay quickly—it’s the least I could do after using up her time and telling her three times that I wouldn’t come inside. I’m back at the house in less than ten minutes.

I pass by the living room, not even noticing who is there because I have one destination: her.

Bailey stands by her bedroom window, dabbing at the corners of her eyes. The sight tightens something in my chest.

“Bailey?” I ask, going to her. She glances at me just enough for me to catch the glimmer of tears in her eyes.

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